Commission votes to reopen renovated Kelly Courts under prior program, split open-play/reservation model and 120-day review
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Summary
After extended public testimony about noise and equity, the commission recommended reopening the renovated Kelly Courts under the prior reservation/open-play balance (two reservation courts, two walk-on courts), asked staff to forward policy revisions to Council and to report back 120 days after reopening with usage and complaint data.
The Parks & Recreation Commission debated revisions to the Kelly Courts pickleball policy and voted to restore the prior operating program while adopting the renovated facilitylayout: two courts designated for reservations and two courts for walk-on (open) play, with a staff report back 120 days after reopening.
Senior Recreation Supervisor Brian Sousa briefed the commission on facility upgrades and two staff options for expanded hours: Option 1 would add Sunday hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) while preserving evening limits; Option 2 would open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Staff recommended aligning hours with neighboring cities and designating Courts 1 and 2 for reservation/reserved-play while Courts 3 and 4 remain walk-on.
Public testimony was sharply divided. Neighbors described severe quality-of-life impacts when courts were previously fully active, with long-running neighborhood complaints and, in one comment, threats of litigation. "If pickleball goes from 9 to 9, you might as well put a gun to my head," said a resident who testified about noise and sleep disruption. Players and community members said demand exceeds supply, cited daily travel to neighboring cities to play, and urged more open-play hours to improve equitable access.
Commissioners discussed enforcement challenges (quiet-paddle rules and foam balls are hard to police without on-site staff), reservation equity, and potential revenue from reservations. Several members favored a measured approach that preserves resident protections while restoring access. The commission ultimately recommended restoring the pre-closure program (two reservation courts and two open-play courts), asked staff to include policy updates that recommend quiet paddles and other best practices, and directed staff to return with a 120-day evaluation of usage, complaints and operational issues after the courts reopen.
The commission emphasized that benches, gate placement and operational details will be finalized by public works and the CIP team; staff noted that reopening and evaluation may require some additional administrative resources.
